Patient Information

Ethical and Religious Directives

The CHI Franciscan Health is guided by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

Our hospitals, outpatient centers and other care facilities are open to persons of every faith and ethnic background.

Thank you for entrusting us with your care.

Interpreters

Interpreters are provided for our patients when necessary. When you arrive at the hospital, please notify the patient-care staff if you need for an interpreter.

Patient advocates

Customer satisfaction is a top priority at St. Francis Hospital. Our patient advocates work with the hospital’s managers and supervisors to respond to, and seek resolutions for, concerns and complaints expressed by our patients.

Patient escorts

Patient escorts are available within the hospital to ensure that you arrive safely, comfortably and on time for appointments within our facility.

Patient rights and responsibilities

Whether you come to our hospital for medical care, or to have a test or other procedures done, your rights as a patient must be respected.

As a patient at CHI Franciscan Health, you have the right:

Be fully informed of all your patient rights and receive a written copy, in advance of furnishing or discontinuing care whenever possible

Be treated with dignity and respect including cultural and personal beliefs, values and preferences

Confidentiality, reasonable personal privacy, security, safety, spiritual or religious care accommodations, and communication. If communication restrictions are necessary for patient care and safety, the hospital must document and explain the restrictions to the patient and family

Receive information about your condition including unanticipated outcomes, agree and be involved in all aspects and decisions of their care including: refusing care, treatment and services to the extent permitted by law and to be informed of the consequences of your actions; and resolving problems with care decisions; the hospital will involve the surrogate decision-maker when the patient is unable to make decisions about his or her care

Receive information in a manner tailored to the patient’s age, language needs and ability to understand. An interpreter, translator or other auxiliary aids, tools or services will be provided to you for vital and necessary information free of charge

Make informed decisions regarding care including options, alternatives, risk and benefits. The hospital honors your right to give, rescind and withhold consent

Receive an appropriate medical screening examination or treatment for an emergency medical condition within the capabilities of the hospital, regardless of your ability to pay for such services

Have a family member or representative of your choice and your physician notified

Know the individual(s) responsible for, as well as those providing, your care, treatment and services

Family or representatives notification of your admission and input in care decisions; Designate any individual to be present for emotional support during course of stay

An appropriate assessment and management of your pain

Be free from restraints and seclusion of any form that are not medically necessary or are used as a means of coercion, discipline, convenience or retaliation by staff

Have advance directives and for hospitals to respect and follow those directives; The hospital honors advance directives, in accordance with law and regulation and the hospital’s capabilities, religious directives and policies

End of life care; Request no resuscitation or life-sustaining treatment

Donate organs and other tissues including medical staff input and direction by family or surrogate decision makers

Review, request amendment to and obtain information on disclosures of your health information in accordance with law and regulation

File a grievance (complaint) and to be informed of the process to review and resolve the grievance

As a patient at our hospital, you have the responsibility to:

Tell your care providers everything you know about your health, and to let someone know if there are changes in your condition. Provide accurate and current health information to your healthcare team.

Make known when you have advance directives and provide documents describing your preferences and wishes to the admitting staff or clinical healthcare team

Ask for explanation and information if you do not understand what you are told

Participate in your health care by helping make decisions, following the treatment plan prescribed by your physician, and accepting responsibility for your choices

Demonstrate respect and consideration for other patients and hospital personnel

Follow hospital rules and regulations about safety and patient care during your stay such as those about visitors, smoking, noise, etc

Meet your financial commitments. Deal with your bill promptly, and contact the billing department if you need to make special arrangements

Support mutual consideration and respect by maintaining civil language and conduct in interaction with staff and medical staff.

Tell your care providers if you have special needs your healthcare team should know about

Patient safety

Patient safety is another of our hospital’s primary goals. We strive to ensure that those who entrust their care to us receive the care they need in the safest environment possible.

Safety Hotline: Please call our Patient Safety Hotline at 253-426-6289 if you have concerns about safety. Concerns about patient safety or care in the hospital that the hospital has not addressed may be referred to the Joint Commission Office of Quality Monitoring at 1-800-994-6610.

Patient satisfaction and concerns

We constantly measure our patients’ satisfaction with the medical care and services they receive. We also seek ways to improve how we meet their expectations. As a patient or former patient, you may be asked to respond to a questionnaire designed to gauge your level of satisfaction with our hospital and the care it provided you. We hope you will take the few minutes to complete the survey. Your comments are important to us. Customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities.

Customer Concern Line: Have a complaint? Please let us know. Call the Franciscan Customer Concern Line at 1-877-426-4701. Our patient advocates are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. At other times, please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned.

If you believe your rights are not respected or you are displeased with how you are treated, as a patient you have the Right:

To register a complaint with any staff member and get a prompt response from management.

To speak with management directly about your concerns.

To initiate a formal grievance.

Personal medication record

Carry a personal medication record with you at all times. This record should:

Provide your first and last names, birth date, and emergency contact information.

List the names and doses of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking, as well as vitamins, vitamin supplements (i.e., fish oil tablets), dietary supplements, and herbal products.

State how often each medication and/or supplement is used.

Identify any allergies to drugs you have.

A personal medication record helps physicians and pharmacists ensure that their patients avoid taking two forms of the same medicine or mixing medications that could harm, instead of help. In emergencies, a complete and accurate personal medication record can help the emergency medical staff to know who the patient is, what medications he/she takes, and what medication allergies the individual has. This valuable information supports proper medical care and safety.

Start your own personal medication record today if you don’t already have one, and keep it up to date. Many physician offices and pharmacies now offer pre-printed forms that can be easily filled out. View this sample form provided by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

What to bring to the hospital

Patients must bring their picture identification and insurance card to the Admitting Office. If staying overnight, please leave all your valuable items (jewelry, etc.) at home.